Jons Bengtsson 1777-1858

Born: 8 Oct 1777

Place: Haggenas, Fulltofta, Malmohus, Sweden

Parents: Bengt and Sisa Michelsson Nilsson

Married: Elsa Petersson

Children:

Sisa Jonsson (1821)

Petter Jonsson (1823)

Bengta (1824)

Petter (1827)

Nils (1828)

Anna Jonsson (1830)

Anna Jonsson (1832)

Died: 27 Feb 1858 in Fulltofta, Malmohus, Sweden

Buried: In Sweden

In the southern part of Sweden in the village of Haggenas and the parish of Fulltofta, Jons Bengtsson was born and reared. He had at least two brothers and two sisters. Jons grew to be a man of large stature with very large feet. He served as a soldier in the Napoleonic War. Because of his large feet, it was extremely difficult to find boots for him to march in. He often shared his war stories with anyone that would listen. At the age of 43 he married 30 year old Elsa Petersson in Fulltofta. They made their home in the village of Haggenas, the town that Jons had grown up in. While living there the first of their seven children, Sisa, was born. Of these seven children born to Jons and Elsa only their three daughters, Sisa, Bengta, and Anna survived to adulthood. As was the custom of the time if a child died then the next child of the same sex was given the same name. That is why Jons and Elsa's family has two Petters and two Annas. Jons supported his family by being a wine taster. This resulted in him becoming an alcoholic and it created many problems in their family. In the early 1850's the Bengtsson family heard the gospel from the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Eventually all five of the family joined the church. Jons' taste for strong drink was cause of disapproval by the elders, and he was reprimanded when he was not able to obey the "Word of Wisdom." He strongly resolved to do better and was given one last chance to lead a sober life. It was difficult for 79 year old Jons to change his ways. Word of his backsliding reached the Mormon Elders, who had no recourse left but to excommunicate him. The family had been making plans to immigrate to Utah but the elders would not allow Jons to come along so they remained in Sweden until after his death on 27 Feb 1858. Eventually all of Jons Bengtsson family immigrated to Utah and settled in Peoa, Summit, Utah.